Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will bring forward the national bioenergy action plan; the targets and road-map for the development of the industry here he expects to be laid out in this plan; if he will provide details for all Departmental and inter-Departmental groups that are currently working on renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33427/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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In July this year I established a new Ministerial Task Force on bio-energy, as part of the ongoing policy to increase the share of indigenous renewable energy in the Irish heat, electricity and transport markets. Its members include An Tánaiste, and the Ministers for Finance, Agriculture and Food, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Transport and Enterprise Trade and Employment. The Taoiseach's office is also represented. The primary objective of the Task Force is to draw up a cohesive national bio-energy strategy by the end of the year, which will set targets for deployment of bioenergy, identify priority areas for development and the necessary support measures to encourage supply and demand. This strategy will also take account of EU developments, and the views of stakeholders. The Task Force is being supported in its work by a Senior Officials Group representing the Departments concerned.